-tictech message:
Hello All,
I did not post a "Rules of the Road" document in May or June, so this email
will hopefully fill the void you might feel for things rulelike :)
First, I have been corrected by someone with a clearer memory than I about
what cks stood for - it was "common knowledge seattle". Please unsubscribe
yourself from this list if you're still receiving this on a cks account - go
to the web site at the end for directions.
Reflections on the year, the classroom: It has been a very good one. As a
classroom teacher, I took the chance on having a student teacher - and had a
very positive experience with a sharp WSU grad. She was a real tech champ
as well. It was great to have the opportunity to discuss just exactly what
they were being taught in terms of tech integration. Was pleased to hear
that for the most part, technology was not taught separately, but was
integrated into all her methods classes. Interesting for her, as well, to
see the real world of tech integration. For all the pushing of technology
I've done over the years in my building, I felt like I was actually
defending the slowness of tech adoption in our classrooms - how strange and
uncomfortable! It was good to have a fresh, unbiased, outside perspective.
It was also a good year as a classroom teacher. I had a wonderful group of
24 third graders. I've mentioned recently their PowerPoint prowess, only
now they are even more fluent and sophisticated - to the point where they
are able as a class to critique each others' work - and learn from that
process. Tomorrow I say goodbye to a very special bunch.
Reflections on the year, the tictech list: A good year, I guess. The switch
to the Learning Space server was necessitated by the end of the Challenge
Grant. Tictech was just a small piece of the many good things the Challenge
Grant brought to this district. I thank those who worked so hard to bring
it to the district and to make its contributions meaningful.
As moderator, it was a slow year. Not as many conversations as in years
past - I do not know why. Maybe people used OWA and thought they were
replying to the list - when they were just replying to the person who posted
the message (this is a problem with the "reply to" field that is still
unresolved). I have essentially approved ALL messages sent to this list
(with the exception of those who accidentally sent personal messages to the
list). I myself wrote at least a dozen messages to the list but trashed
them before sending. Those were the messages where I was just fed up with
the system, the red tape, or the lack of communication in the district. I
thought better of sending them - concerned about offending people or
departments, I guess. I told myself that next time, I would _for sure_ send
my thoughts, and not worry. Hang onto your hats :)
The state of tictech: This list is hosted at no charge on a server provided
by the Learning Space, a nonprofit organization. The Learning Space also
provides an archive for all list messages. I moderate the list on my own
time. There about 230 members.
Reflections as an unofficial tech leader in my school: A very frustrating
year. I have no idea what is in store for us next year, who is to do what,
etc. Despite the most sophisticated of networks, critical information about
technology in Seattle Schools does not get to our staff or our classrooms.
The good news is most teachers are much more comfortable with the new
technologies. People help each other. We have also had a great U-Wired
student to keep the ship afloat. Staff training has not come as far as I'd
hoped - but we have created a wonderful lab out of thin air, almost :)
Tictech will be in operation through Friday, June 21st. Feel free to post
messages until then. It will resume again the last week of August. Have a
great summer, everyone - moderator Mark
Mark Ahlness
mlahlness@seattleschools.org
Arbor Heights Elementary School
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/
-end tictech message. To join, leave, or visit
the message archive, go to tictech on the Web:
http://www.earthdaybags.org/tictech/
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Jun 18 2002 - 21:22:32 PDT